In the age of innovation, as data continues to grow, there’s a real need for data storage and data computation to be located on the device. 

Privacy, security, and speed are the biggest reasons that the distributed Edge model can work better in certain use-cases. 

When we are all concerned about our personal data being stored in a cloud server, what if the app can handle our personal data on device instead. With Edge AI, personalization features that we want from the app can be achieved on the device. 

Transferring data over networks and into cloud-based servers allows for latency. At each endpoint, there are security risks involved in the data transfer.

AI Needs to be on the edge

On April 16, 2020, Intel and Udacity jointly announced their new Intel® Edge AI for IoT Developers Nanodegree program to train the developer community in deep learning and computer vision.

 If you are wondering where AI is headed, now you know, it’s headed to the edge. Edge computing is the concept of storing data and computing data directly at the location where it is needed. The global edge computing market is forecasted to reach 1.12 trillion dollars by 2023. 

There’s a real need for developers worldwide in this new market.

Edge AI Training Is An Opportunity for All Types of Developers

At the beginning of the AI evolution, we were concerned with crossing over from statistical models to data science, machine learning, and building algorithms that run on the Cloud. Now, software engineers increasingly find that their projects are naturally scoped to include an AI component. 

You don’t have to be a machine learning engineer to know about deep learning or reinforcement learning.

Now, IoT developers who may have been sitting on the sidelines working on software projects that are more feature-based than data-based will have an opportunity to get involved in the AI evolution. 

The Intel® Edge AI for IoT Developers Nanodegree Program will introduce students to the Intel® OpenVINO™ toolkit that will allow developers to deploy pre-trained deep learning models through a high-level C++ or Python inference engine AP integrated with application logic.

The Intel and Udacity Collaboration

This Intel and Udacity collaboration will be the pioneer program that will lay the foundation of training in Edge AI for the next years to come. 

Just like Udacity’s hugely popular machine learning and AI Nanodegree programs, Intel® Edge AI for IoT Developers Nanodegree Program will facilitate streamlined training, project-based learning, mentorship and certification that will allow for a quick ramp-up of both AI and IoT development knowledge.

For computer science majors fresh out of school looking for an entry point into the industry, this type of program can offer both opportunities and skills that bridge the gap between education and real-world applications.

The Vision of Edge AI

At a time when we are all concerned about our job security and prospects due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s good to know that there are new paths to explore. If you don’t currently work in manufacturing or healthcare, it’s difficult to envision Edge AI used on factory assembly lines, and in Urgent Care medical imaging equipment.

But, how about imagining the technology in drones, security cameras, robots and self-driving cars?

There are many smartphone apps that we use day to day that can potentially deliver more personalized features through an AI component.

The value and impact of Edge AI applications is showing no limits when it comes to use cases. The ingenuity of companies during this COVID-19 crisis is humbling. Industries including public safety and healthcare, for example are designing and deploying solutions now that leverage AI and computer vision technologies to deliver accurate and real-time insights to help with tracking, testing and treatment. The technology exists, we are only limited by the imagination at scale of the developer community.

• Jonathan Ballon, Vice President and General Manager, Internet of Things Group, Intel.

This Edge AI evolution is the next generation of AI evolution that will change the way that we interact with our devices and offer better and more secure ways to deploy AI applications.

If you are reluctant to commit, then try the free course Intel® Edge AI Fundamentals free course or take advantage of Udacity’s FREE ACCESS for one month.